With Clemson gearing up for the annual rivalry game against South Carolina, much of the focus has been on the Tigers’ inability to stop Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers a season ago.

Sellers shredded Wes Goodwin’s defense to the tune of 166 rushing yards, including the game-winning 20-yard scramble with just over a minute to play.

Clemson especially had trouble tackling the South Carolina quarterback that day. During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, head coach Dabo Swinney was asked if that performance was pivotal in his decision to move on from Goodwin.

“Not much. Wes can’t tackle them,” Swinney said. “The guys were right there.”

Goodwin took over as defensive coordinator at Clemson after Brent Venables left for the head coaching job at Oklahoma following the 2021 regular season. Goodwin served in that role for three seasons.

Swinney was forced to make a change at defensive coordinator after his defense struggled immensely in 2024. Clemson ranked ninth in the ACC this past season and 69th nationally by allowing 374.1 yards per game in total yards allowed.

The Tigers allowed 4.7 yards per rush last year, their worst total since 1975. Overall, Clemson gave up 160.7 yards per game on the ground, the most since 2011.

Clemson ranked 86th nationally against the run and 99th in yards per carry allowed. The 160.7 yards ranked 16th in the 17-team ACC, while the 4.7 yards per carry ranked 15th in the conference.

Clemson also gave up 73 plays of 20 or more yards, which ranked tied for 126th nationally. The unit allowed 28 plays of 30 or more yards, which was tied for 91st nationally.

“There was a lot that went into that, but that wasn’t the sole reason. There were a lot of reasons,” Swinney added. “Felt like it was just time for a change.”

Since his firing at Clemson, Goodwin has been reunited with Venables at Oklahoma, serving as an assistant linebackers coach.

Photo by Bart Boatwright